Thomas saxton



` Narren STATES PATENT Fries.

THOMAS SAXTON, OF ELMIRA, NEWYORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THEODORE L. MINIER, OF SAME PLACE.

lEXTENSION-LADDER` HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,709, dated January 15, 1 895.

Appleman nea May 14, 1891.1..Y

To all whom, it may concern,.- p

Be it known'that I, THOMAS SAXTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Ladder Hooks, of which the following is a specication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a new and improved locking-hook for extension-ladders, and it has for its object to provide a hook which will be automatic in its operation and which when in its normal position is ready to r 5 engage a round of the stationary section of the ladder without-the necessity of manipulating the movable section thereof except to lower it gently into place.

The invention consists in the novel formazo tion of a self-balancing hook as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and particularlypointed out in theclaim.

In the drawings z-Figure l is a vertical sectional view of two sections of a ladder show- 2 5 ing my hook in operation; Fig. 2, a similar view of a portion of two sections of the ladder showing the movable section being raised; Fig. 3, a similar view showing the hook in its normal position and ready to engage the round 3o of the stationary section; Fig. 4, a similar View showing the movable section being lowered, and Fig. 5, a detail perspective showing the hooks in place on the ladder.

Referring to the various parts by numerals 3 5 1 designates the lower stationary section of an extension ladder and 2 the movable section thereof. Mounted to freely revolve on one of the lower rounds of the movable section of the ladder are two automatic locking devices 3, 3. 4o These devices are mounted one at each end of the round of the ladder near the side-bars thereof, and are so balanced that normally vthey assume a horizontal position as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. These devices are formed of malleable cast iron or other suitable material, and each consists of the central ring 4 through which a round of the ladder passes, said round supporting the hook in its operative position. Extending forwardly from this ring is a 5o straight section 5, said section being formed long enough to extend into line with the serial No. 511,194. oro man.)

rounds of the stationary section of the ladder when the hook is in its normal position, as shown clearly in Fig. 3. Formed on the forward end of this section is the hook 6, said hook being formed with its open side down, as shown. line of the rounds of the stationary section of the ladder for a purpose which will be hereinafter fully set forth. l

Extending rearwardly from the ring 4 is the section 7 which is slightly downwardly curved and is of such weight as to balance the hook 6 and section 5 and hold them normally in a horizontal position.

The operation is as followss-When it is desired to extend the ladder the movable section thereof is moved'upwardly and the hooks 6 thereby disengaged from the round of the stationary section of the ladder, and as the ladder continues to rise the devices 3 assume a horizontal position, as shown, and when they reach the next round of the stationary section,

This hook is slightly forward of theY the upper sides of the straight sections 5 of 6 from the stationary section, and is then lowfered quickly to cause the straight sections 5 of the devices 3 to contact sharply with a round of the stationary section and thereby cause the devices to revolve rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 4. .As the movable section continues its downward movement the convex sides of the curved sections 7 of the devices contact with the next round below on the stationary section and cause the devices to continue their revolution as the said section'decends.

From' the foregoing the operation and advantages of my improved locking device will be readily understood.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is In an extension ladder, the combination withV the stationary and movable sections IOO thereof, of automatic locking devices loosely wardly curved section 7, said section balanc mounted on a round of the movable section ing the forward part of the device and holdand adapted to engage the rounds of the staing it in a horizontal position, substantially tionary section, said devices consisting of the as described and for the purpose set forth.

5 ring 4 through which the supporting round In testimony whereof I aftix my signature t 5 passes, the section 5 extending forwardlyffrom i in the presence of two witnesses.

said ring and into line withtherounds of the THOMAS SAXTON. stationary section, a hook 6, having its open Witnesses: side down, formed on the forward end of the FREDERICK C oLLIN,

1o section 5, and the rearwardly extending down- ROSS M. LOVELL. 

